Mobile communication terminal

ABSTRACT

A mobile communication terminal is provided whose operability is improved by enabling a user to promptly use a function that the user requires, upon suspension of execution of an application program. A mobile communication terminal (mobile phone)  20  includes an output unit  216  having a liquid crystal display (LCD)  27  that displays an image; a main control unit  215  that controls the output unit  216 ; and an application program executing and managing unit  214  that executes an application program registered by a user. The application program executing and managing unit  214  sends a function transition request instruction (screen transition request instruction) to make a transition to a function specified by the application program, to the main control unit  215 , upon suspension of execution of the application program. Based on the function transition request instruction (screen transition request instruction), the main control unit  215  controls the output unit  216  to display an initial screen of the function or a menu screen for selecting the function.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a mobile communication terminal, suchas a mobile phone, having a function of executing an application programregistered by a user.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, as this type of a mobile communication terminal, amobile phone is known that is capable of executing an applicationprogram written in a platform-independent, object-oriented programminglanguage (see Patent Document 1, for example). For example, a mobilephone is known that is provided with JAVA (registered trademark) virtualmachine functionality so as to be able to execute an application programwritten in JAVA (registered trademark). In such a mobile phone, a userdownloads his/her desired application program from a server in a mobilecommunication network and registers the application program on themobile phone. Then, by the user starting the registered applicationprogram, the user can allow a standby screen composed of athree-dimensional moving image to be displayed on a display of themobile phone, or can play a game, perform fortune-telling, or play musicon the mobile phone.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application PublicationNo. 2000-347867

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

In the aforementioned conventional mobile phone, when execution of theapplication program is terminated or when the execution is suspended, astandby screen is displayed on the mobile phone. Therefore, when theuser uses a function of a mobile phone e-mail, a WEB browser, a functionsetting (F menu), or the like, upon suspension of the applicationprogram, the user needs to perform an operation to make a transitionfrom the standby screen to the initial screen of a target function thatthe user desires.

Depending on the type of the application program, a situation may arisewhere it is expected that immediately after suspension of execution ofthe application program the user uses a certain function. For example,when a messaging application program that performs information exchangewith another user, or the like, is executed, the user may want tosuspend the application program and register a phone number or an e-mailaddress of the person with whom the user is exchanging information. Inthis case, after the suspension, the user allows the initial screen of amemory dial register function to be displayed, and then registers thephone number or e-mail address of the person with whom the user isexchanging information. However, in the conventional mobile phone, asdescribed above, immediately after suspension of an application program,a standby screen is displayed, and thus, the user needs to perform anoperation to make a transition from the standby screen to the initialscreen of a memory dial register function.

As described above, the conventional mobile phone has a problem in thatupon suspension of execution of an application program the user cannotpromptly use a function that he/she requires, resulting in pooroperability.

The present invention is made in view of the foregoing problem. Anobject of the present invention is to provide a mobile communicationterminal whose operability is improved by enabling a user to promptlyuse a function that the user requires, upon suspension of execution ofan application program.

Means for Solving the Problems

In order to attain the aforementioned object, a first mobilecommunication terminal according to the present invention comprises:image displaying means for displaying an image; control means forcontrolling the image displaying means; and application programexecuting means for executing an application program registered by auser, wherein the application program executing means sends a functiontransition request instruction to make a transition to a functionspecified by the application program, to the control means, uponsuspension of execution of the application program, and the controlmeans controls the image displaying means to display one of an initialscreen of the function and a menu screen for selecting the function,based on the function transition request instruction.

In the mobile communication terminal, the application program executingmeans sends a function transition request instruction to make atransition to a function specified by the application program, to thecontrol means, upon suspension of execution of an application program.Based on the function transition request instruction sent from theapplication program executing means, the control means controls theimage displaying means and displays an initial screen of the functionspecified by the application program. When there are a plurality ofspecified functions, a shortcut menu screen for selecting a function isdisplayed. Here, at least one function that is likely to be required bythe user upon suspension can be specified in the application program,and thus, the user can promptly use a function that he/she requires onthe screen, upon suspension of execution of the application program.

A second mobile communication terminal according to the presentinvention comprises: image displaying means for displaying an image;control means for controlling the image displaying means; andapplication program executing means for executing a application programin accordance with setting data in property information associated withthe application program registered by a user, wherein the propertyinformation includes control data for suspension that specifies afunction to which a transition is made upon suspension of execution ofthe application program, the application program executing means sends afunction transition request instruction to make a transition to thefunction specified by the control data for suspension, to the controlmeans, upon suspension of execution of the application program, and thecontrol means controls the image displaying means to display one of aninitial screen of the function and a menu screen for selecting thefunction, based on the function transition request instruction.

In the mobile communication terminal, property information associatedwith an application program executed by the application programexecuting means includes control data for suspension that specifies afunction to be activated upon suspension of execution of the applicationprogram. The application program executing means sends a functiontransition request instruction to make a transition to the functionspecified by the control data for suspension included in the propertyinformation, to the control means, upon suspension of execution of theapplication program. Based on the function transition requestinstruction sent from the application program executing means, thecontrol means controls the image displaying means and allows an initialscreen of the function specified by the control data for suspension or amenu screen to be displayed. Here, in the control data for suspension inthe property information functions that are likely to be required by theuser upon suspension can be specified, and thus, the user can promptlyuse a function that he/she requires on the screen, upon the suspensionof execution of the application program. In particular, since theproperty information is information that can be referred to by a user,the user can easily check the content of control data for suspensionthat specifies a function to be activated upon suspension of executionof an application program.

Note that the control data for suspension may be designed such that thedata can be set by a user. In this case, the user can freely set afunction that he/she wants to use upon suspension of execution of anapplication program.

A third mobile communication terminal according to the present inventioncomprises: image displaying means for displaying an image; control meansfor controlling the image displaying means; an application programexecuting means for executing an application program registered by auser; and an operating means used by the user to input control data forsuspension that specifies a function to be activated upon suspension ofexecution of the application program, wherein the control means controlsthe image displaying means to display one of an initial screen of thefunction specified by the control data for suspension and a menu screenfor selecting the function, upon suspension of execution of theapplication program.

In the mobile communication terminal, control data for suspension thatspecifies a function to be activated upon suspension of execution of anapplication program is inputted by the user operating the operatingmeans. The control means controls the image displaying means based onthe control data for suspension and allows an initial screen of thefunction specified by the control data for suspension or a menu screento be displayed, upon suspension of execution of the applicationprogram. Accordingly, upon suspension of execution of the applicationprogram, the user can promptly use a function on the screen that he/sherequires.

Note that the aforementioned “mobile communication terminals” includemobile phones of the PDC (Personal Digital Cellular) system, the GSM(Global System for Mobile Communications) system, the TIA(Telecommunication Industry Association) system, and the like, mobilephones standardized by IMT (International MobileTelecommunication)-2000, mobile phones of the TD-SCDMA (MC: MultiCarrier) system which is one of the TD-SCDMA (Time Division SynchronousCode Division Multiple Access) systems, PHSs (Personal HandyphoneSystems), and phones, such as car phones, that are capable of executingapplication programs. The “mobile communication terminals” also include,in addition to the aforementioned phones, mobile communication terminalswith no phone functionality such as PDAs (Personal Digital Assistance).

Control and information processing on the mobile communication terminalcan also be realized by allowing a computer provided to the mobilecommunication terminal to execute a predetermined program. Receiving andpassing of a program used on the computer may be performed using arecording medium, such as an FD or a CD-ROM, having recorded thereon aprogram as digital information, or may be performed using acommunication network such as a computer network.

Effect of the Invention

According to the present invention, upon suspension of execution of anapplication program an initial screen of the specified function or amenu screen can be displayed, and thus, upon suspension of execution ofthe application program the user can promptly use a function on thescreen that he/she requires, providing an advantageous effect that theoperability can be improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustrative diagram showing a main portion of a mobilecommunication system using a mobile phone according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external view of the mobile phone.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a hardwareconfiguration of the mobile phone.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an extracted main portion of themobile phone.

FIG. 5 is an illustrative diagram of a software structure to be executedon the mobile phone.

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing a process performed when the mobilephone makes a transition to a function on a phone platform side uponsuspension of execution of an application program.

FIG. 7A is an illustrative diagram of a menu screen displayed uponsuspension of execution of the application program.

FIG. 7B is an illustrative diagram of an initial screen of a functionselected on the menu screen of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7C is an illustrative diagram of an initial screen of anotherfunction selected on the menu screen of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing a process performed when a mobilephone according to another embodiment makes a transition to a functionon a phone platform side upon suspension of execution of an applicationprogram.

FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing a process performed when a mobilephone according to still another embodiment makes a transition to afunction on a phone platform side upon suspension of execution of anapplication program.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiments in which the present invention is applied to a mobile phoneserving as a mobile communication terminal will be explained below.

FIG. 1 is an illustrative diagram showing a main portion of a mobilecommunication system using mobile phones 20 according to the presentembodiment. In the mobile communication system, a mobile phone 20 usedby a user 1 has a configuration capable of executing applicationprograms developed by platform-independent object-oriented programming.Such application programs include those written in program languagessuch as JAVA (registered trademark), C, C++, and the like. The executionenvironment of such application programs can be constructed bymiddleware such as the virtual machine (VM: Virtual Machine) of JAVA(registered trademark) or BREW (registered trademark). The mobile phone20 can be connected to a mobile phone communication network 10 servingas a communication network. To the mobile phone communication network 10are connected an application program download server (hereinafterreferred to as the “download server”) 11 serving as a program providingserver, and an information providing server, a location registeringserver, etc., which are not shown. Note that these servers may beconfigured as a single server. Note also that these servers may beconfigured as dedicated control devices having different configurations,or may be configured using a general-purpose computer system.Alternatively, each server may be configured using a single computer ormay be configured by connecting, via a network, a plurality of computerseach having a plurality of functions.

The download server 11 sends, upon receiving a download request from themobile phone 20, an application program according to the request to themobile phone 20. The Web server 12 sends, upon receiving a browserequest from the mobile phone 20, a Web page screen which is a browsescreen according to the request, to the mobile phone 20.

An application program to be provided from the download server 11 isprovided from an application program developer 2. Specifically, forexample, an application program is uploaded via a leased line or apublic line to the download server 11 from a personal computer or thelike on the side of the application program developer 2, and thereby theapplication program is provided. Note that an application program may beprovided such that a recording medium, such as an optical disk or amagnetic disk, having recorded thereon a developed application programis sent from the application program developer 2 to a communicationcommon carrier who manages and runs the download server 11 and then theapplication program on the recording medium is read by the downloadserver 11. The application program thus provided is registered on thedownload server 11 in a state such that the mobile phone 20 can downloadthe application program via the mobile phone communication network 10.

FIG. 2 is an external view of the mobile phone 20 and FIG. 3 is aschematic configuration diagram showing a hardware configuration of themobile phone 20.

The mobile phone 20 is a clam-shell (folding) type mobile phone, andincludes a system bus 200; a CPU 201; data memory means composed of RAM202, ROM 203, and the like; an input device 204; an output device 205;and a communication device 206 for a mobile phone. The components suchas the CPU 201 and the RAM 202 exchange with each other various data,instructions of a program which will be described later, etc., via thesystem bus 200. The input device 204 is composed of data entry keys (anumeric keypad, a * key, and a # key) 21, a call start key 22, a callend key 23, a scroll key 24, a multifunction key 25, a microphone 26,and the like. The output device 205 is composed of a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD) 27 serving as an image display means, a speaker 28, andthe like. The communication device 206 for a mobile phone establishescommunication with other mobile phones or the aforementioned servers 11and 12 via the mobile phone communication network 10.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an extracted main portion of themobile phone 20 and FIG. 5 is an illustrative diagram of a softwarestructure of the mobile phone 20.

The mobile phone 20 includes a phone communication unit 211, a datacommunication unit 212, an operating unit 213, an application programexecuting and managing unit 214 serving as an application programexecution means, a main control unit 215 serving as a control means, andan output unit 216. In addition, the mobile phone 20 includes aninformation memory unit 217 serving as information memory means forstoring various information received from the aforementioned informationproviding server 13.

The phone communication unit 211 performs radio communication with abase station of the mobile phone communication network 10 to performphone communication with another mobile phone or a fixed-line phone. Thephone communication unit 211 corresponds to the communication device 206for a mobile phone, etc., in the aforementioned hardware configuration.

The data communication unit 212 corresponds to the communication device206 for a mobile phone, etc., in the aforementioned hardwareconfiguration, as in the phone communication unit 211. The datacommunication unit 212, for example, exchanges e-mails with other mobilephones via the mobile phone communication network 10, or establishes aconnection to an external communication network, such as the Internet,from the mobile phone communication network 10 via a gateway server andexchanges e-mails on the Internet. The data communication unit 212 isalso used to download, via the mobile phone communication network 10, anapplication program provided by the download server 11. In addition, thedata communication unit 212 is also used as an information receptionmeans for receiving distributed information including locationinformation about the current location.

The operating unit 213 includes the numeric keypad 21, the call startkey 22, the call end key 23, and the like, which can be operated by theuser 1. By operating the operating unit 213, the user can input data,such as a URL, to the mobile phone 20, can start and end a call uponincoming call, or can select, start, and stop an application program.Further, by the user operating the operating unit 213, the user candownload and register an application program from the download server11, or can select and execute the registered application program.Moreover, by the user operating the operating unit 213, informationreceived from the information providing server 13 in the mobile phonecommunication network 10 can be displayed.

The application program executing and managing unit 214 includes thesystem bus 200, the CPU 201, the RAM 202, and the like. The applicationprogram executing and managing unit 214 corresponds to the “programexecution environment” shown in the center of the software structure inFIG. 5. The application program executing and managing unit 214 providessoftware, such as a class library, an execution environment managementlibrary, and an application management, which is used for an applicationprogram developed by object-oriented programming, and manages theexecution environment of the application program.

The application program can call and use a class library of functions,etc. in the aforementioned program execution environment, via a classlibrary API (application interface). The history of calling to the classlibrary of functions, etc., is held until a virtual executionenvironment (virtual machine: VM) for the application program isterminated.

The execution environment management library in the program executionenvironment can call and use a phone platform library in a phoneplatform via a phone platform API, as will be described later.

The main control unit 215 controls the phone communication unit 211, thedata communication unit 212, the operating unit 213, the applicationprogram executing and managing unit 214, the output unit 216, and theinformation memory unit 217. The main control unit 215 includes thesystem bus 200, the CPU 201, the RAM 202, and the like.

In addition, the main control unit 215 exchanges control instructions orvarious data with the application program executing and managing unit214, the information memory unit 217, and the like, and performs controlin cooperation with these units. The main control unit 215 correspondsto the “phone platform” shown at the bottom of the software structure inFIG. 5. The main control unit 215 executes a control program forcontrolling the phone communication unit 211 or the like, and a userinterface, or provides a phone platform library. The phone platform canexecute various processes in an application program by sending an eventto the execution environment management library in the program executionenvironment, or can call, via an application management API, software ofthe application management in the program execution environment and usethe software.

The output unit 216 includes, for example, the output device 205composed of the liquid crystal display (LCD) 27, the speaker 28, and thelike. The output unit 216 is used to display on the liquid crystaldisplay (LCD) 17 a Web page screen received by the data communicationunit 212, or to notify the user that incoming information is received bythe phone communication unit 211 or the data communication unit 212.Specifically, when receiving such information, the main control unit 215allows an incoming-information notification image to be displayed on theliquid crystal display (LCD) 17 of the output unit 216, or allows a ringtone to be outputted from the speaker 18. The output unit 216 is alsoused to provide, during the execution of an application program such asthe aforementioned game, a display of an image or an output of soundwhich is related to the program execution. In addition, the output unit216 is also used to display information received from the informationproviding server 13.

A control program for constructing a phone platform which allows themobile phone 20 to operate in accordance with a predetermined procedureis memorized in the RAM 202 or the ROM 203. In addition, a basic OS(operating system) program, a program for constructing the programexecution environment, and an application program are also memorized inthe RAM 202 or the ROM 203. These programs are called, when necessary,in a work area of the CPU 201 or of the RAM 202 and executed.

In the mobile phone 20 having the aforementioned configuration, todownload an application program from the download server 11, the user 1operates the keys of the operating unit 213 to access the downloadserver 11. By this operation, a download selection screen for selectinga downloadable application program is displayed on the display 17. Then,on the download selection screen, the user selects his/her desiredapplication program using the scroll key 14, and presses themultifunction key 15, whereby the main control unit 215 controls thedata communication unit 212, downloads the application program from thedownload server 11, and stores the application program in RAM 102 of theinformation memory unit 217.

Specifically, in the present embodiment 1, an application programconsists of a JAD file (text data) that contains property informationand a JAR file (binary data) that contains the main body of the program.The JAD file contains not only basic data such as an application name,an application version, an application's vendor name, and data of a URLindicating where the JAR file is stored, but also setting dataindicating, for example, whether the application program isauthenticated, whether the application program is used being connectedto a network, or whether the application program is a residentapplication program. In addition, the JAD file also contains the URL(the address data of the distributor) of the official Web page whererelevant information regarding the application program is disclosed.When the user's desired application program is selected on the downloadselection screen, the main control unit 215 controls the datacommunication unit 212, and first downloads only a JAD file in theapplication program. Thereafter, the main control unit 215 reads fromthe JAD file data of a URL indicating where a JAR file is stored,accesses the URL, and downloads the JAR file. The application programconsisting of the JAD and JAR files thus downloaded is memorized in theRAM 102 of the information memory unit 217 by the main control unit 215.

When executing the application program thus downloaded, the user 1operates the keys of the operating unit 213 to allow an applicationselection screen for selecting an application program to be executed tobe displayed on the display 17. On the application selection screen, bythe user selecting his/her desired application program using the scrollkey 14, and pressing the multifunction key 15, the application programexecuting and managing unit 214 reads the JAR file and starts theapplication program. Here, if necessary, the setting data of the JADfile may be referred to and an environment that performs a processingoperation in accordance with the setting data may be set. When aparticular processing operation is performed during the execution of theapplication program, the setting data of the JAD file regarding theprocessing operation is referred to, and a processing operation suitablefor the application program is performed. The application programsinclude various application programs; for example, an applicationprogram that allows a user to enjoy a game, etc., by operating variouskeys of the operating unit 213, and a resident application program thatallows a standby screen composed of a three-dimensional moving image tobe displayed on the display 17.

Now, the operation of a function transition upon suspension of executionof an application program will be described, which is thecharacteristics part of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing a process performed when atransition to a function on the phone platform side is made uponsuspension of execution of an application program.

The user obtains an application program by downloading an applicationprogram from the download server 11, or by purchasing a mobile phone 20in which the application program is registered in advance. The user canselect his/her desired application program from an application programlist and execute the selected application program.

When a transition to a particular function on the phone platform side ismade during the execution of the application program, a command torequest suspension that is called by a predetermined function for makinga transition to the function is executed. The application programexecuting and managing unit 214 which constructs the applicationexecution environment suspends the application program based on thecommand to request suspension, and outputs to the main control unit 215on the platform side a screen transition request instruction serving asa function transition request instruction to make a transition to aninitial screen of a function specified by the application program.

The main control unit 215 having received the screen transition requestinstruction serving as the function transition request instructioncontrols the output unit 216 having the LCD 27 and allows a menu screen,such as the one exemplified in FIG. 7A, for shortcuts of a plurality offunctions specified by the application program to be displayed. The usercan select his/her desired function by looking at the menu screen. Forexample, when “WEB” is selected on the menu screen of FIG. 7A, a Webmenu screen shown in FIG. 7B, which is the initial screen of a functionof receiving various Web services, is displayed. When “F” is selected onthe menu screen of FIG. 7A, an F-menu screen shown in FIG. 7C, which isthe initial screen of a function of performing various settings, isdisplayed.

When the user performs an operation where the user uses variousfunctions on the phone platform, and thereafter, performs an operationto resume the application program, a resume request instruction isoutputted from the main control unit 215 to the application programexecuting and managing unit 214. The application program executing andmanaging unit 214 having received the resume request instruction resumesthe suspended application program.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in anapplication program functions that are likely to be required by a userupon suspension are specified, whereby upon suspension of execution ofthe application program a shortcut menu screen allowing the user toselect a plurality of the specified functions can be displayed.Accordingly, upon suspension of execution of the application program,the user can promptly use a function on the screen that he/she requires,making it possible to improve operability.

In particular, the present embodiment is effective for the case wherethere are a plurality of functions that are likely to be activated uponsuspension of an application program.

Although in the aforementioned embodiment a control is performed to makea transition to a function specified by an application program, controldata for suspension regarding a transition destination upon suspensionmay be written as one of setting data in property information of anapplication program downloaded from the download server 11, and atransition to a function may be made using the control data forsuspension. As shown in FIG. 8, the application program executing andmanaging unit 214 in this case refers to control data for suspensionincluded in the property information, upon suspension of execution of anapplication program, and sends a screen transition request instructionserving as a function transition request instruction to make atransition to an initial screen of a function specified by the controldata for suspension, to the main control unit 215. Based on the screentransition request instruction serving as the function transitionrequest instruction sent from the application program executing andmanaging unit 214, the main control unit 215 controls the output unit216 having the LCD 27, and allows the initial screen of the functionspecified by the control data for suspension or a shortcut menu screento be displayed. Hence, in this case too, upon suspension of executionof the application program, the user can promptly use a function on thescreen that he/she requires, making it possible to improve operability.

Alternatively, the control data for suspension in the propertyinformation of the application program may be designed such that thedata can be modified by a user. In this case, the user operates theoperating unit 213 having data entry keys (a numeric keypad, a * key,and a # key) 21 and the like and serving as operating means, to inputcontrol data for suspension. The main control unit 215 overwritescontrol data for suspension in the property information with the controldata for suspension inputted by the user. By this control, the user canfreely set a function that the user wants to use immediately aftersuspension of execution of an application program.

Alternatively, in the aforementioned embodiment, a function transitionupon suspension of execution of an application program may be controlledbased on control data for suspension inputted by the user but not on afunction transition request instruction sent from the applicationprogram executing and managing unit 214. As shown in FIG. 9, the maincontrol unit 215 in this case receives suspension notificationinformation from the application program executing and managing unit214, upon suspension of execution of an application program, andthereafter, refers to control data for suspension in the informationmemory unit 217 which is inputted by the user operating the operatingunit 213. Then, based on the control data for suspension, the maincontrol unit 215 controls the output unit 216 having the LCD 27 andallows an initial screen of a function specified by the control data forsuspension or a menu screen to be displayed. Accordingly, in this casetoo, upon suspension of execution of the application program, the usercan promptly use a function on the screen that he/she requires.

Although, in the aforementioned embodiments shown in FIGS. 6, 8, and 9,upon suspension of execution of an application program a menu screen forselecting a plurality of the specified functions is displayed, whenthere is only a single specified function, the initial screen of thatfunction may be directly displayed. In this case, the user can morepromptly use a function that he/she requires.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have beenexplained, it is understood that various modifications may be made tothe embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the scope orspirit of the present invention, and within the scope of the technicalideas as set forth in the appended claims.

For example, although the aforementioned embodiments explain a mobilephone that can execute application programs developed byplatform-independent object-oriented programming using a programminglanguage such as JAVA (registered trademark), the present invention canbe applied without being limited to the type of application program tobe executed on the mobile phone, and the same advantageous effects canbe obtained.

In addition, the present invention can be applied to any apparatus aslong as the apparatus can execute application programs and can displayimages, and thus can be applied not only to phones, such as PHSs and carphones, but also to portable PDAs, and the same advantageous effects canbe obtained.

1. A mobile communication terminal, comprising: image displaying meansfor displaying an image; a main control unit for controlling said imagedisplaying means; and application program executing means for executingan application program, wherein said application program executing meansincludes: means for receiving a command to suspend the execution of theapplication program; means for suspending the application program inresponse to the command; means for sending a function transition requestinstruction to make a transition to a function specified by theapplication program to the main control unit; and means for resuming theapplication program that is suspended upon receipt of a resume requestinstruction from the main control unit, wherein the main control unitincludes: control means for controlling said image displaying means todisplay one of an initial screen of the function and a menu screen forselecting the function while the application program is suspended, basedon the function transition request instruction; and means for outputtinga resume request instruction to the application program executing meansin response to performance of an operation to resume the applicationprogram.
 2. The mobile communication terminal of claim 1, wherein themenu screen is a program shortcut menu.
 3. The mobile communicationterminal of claim 1, wherein the command to suspend includes controldata which can be modified by a user.
 4. The mobile communicationterminal of claim 1, wherein the menu screen allows selection of aplurality of specified functions.
 5. The mobile communication terminalof claim 4, wherein, when there is only a single specified function, theinitial screen of the single specified function is directly displayed.6. A method for operating a mobile terminal, comprising: duringexecution of an application program, receiving a command to suspend theexecution of an application program at a program executing means;suspending the application program in response to the command; sending afunction transition request instruction to make a transition to afunction specified by the application program to a control unit;controlling an image displaying means to display one of an initialscreen of the function and a menu screen for selecting the function,based on the function transition request instruction, at the controlunit; outputting a resume request instruction to the application programexecuting means in response to the performance of an operation to resumethe application program; and resuming the suspended application programon receipt of the resume request instruction.
 7. The method of claim 6,wherein the menu screen is a program shortcut menu screen.
 8. The methodof claim 6, wherein the command to suspend includes control data whichcan be modified by a user.
 9. The method of claim 6, wherein the menuscreen allows selection of a plurality of specified functions.
 10. Themethod of claim 9, wherein, when there is only a single specifiedfunction, the initial screen of the single specified function isdirectly displayed.
 11. A mobile communication terminal, comprising: animage display that displays an image; a main control unit that controlsthe image display; an application program executing unit that executesan application program, wherein said application program executing unitincludes: a command receiver unit that receives a command to suspend theexecution of the application program; an application program suspendingunit that suspends the application program in response to the command;an instruction sending unit that sends a function transition requestinstruction to make a transition to a function specified by theapplication program to the main control unit; an application programresuming unit that resumes the suspended application program uponreceipt of a resume request instruction from the main control unit,wherein the main control unit includes: a controller that controls thatimage display to display one of an initial screen of the function and amenu screen for selecting the function, based on the function transitionrequest instruction; and an output unit that outputs a resume requestinstruction to the application program executing unit in response toperformance of an operation to resume the application program.
 12. Themobile communication terminal of claim 11, wherein the menu screen is aprogram shortcut menu.
 13. The mobile communication terminal of claim11, wherein the command to suspend includes control data which can bemodified by a user.
 14. The mobile communication terminal of claim 11,wherein the menu screen allows selection of a plurality of specifiedfunctions.
 15. The mobile communication terminal of claim 14, wherein,when there is only a single specified function, the initial screen ofthe single specified function is directly displayed.